Landfill Gas Sequestration in Kansas
Project # 42209

Primary Performing Organization:
Kansas Geological Survey

Methane emissions account for more than 9% of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions with respect to methane’s “global warming potential factor.”  This factor recognizes that methane traps heat in the atmosphere at a rate about 20 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO₂).  The focus of methane abatement programs, including this project, has become solid waste disposal landfills for the simple reason that they represent the largest single source of methane attributable to human activity.  In turn, one of the more effective technologies for mitigating methane emissions is to upgrade landfill gas (LFG) to commercial quality natural gas. 

In general, the project will explore the economic potential for the dual benefit of carbon sequestration coupled with enhanced coal bed methane recovery.  Specifically, the project will address cost issues relating to gas-processing by investigating the possibility of injecting LFG from the Johnson County, Kansas landfill into underground coal beds.  Such injection produces larger quantities of higher quality gas by stripping and capturing CO₂ and non-methane compounds from the LFG and depositing them onto the surface of a coal seam.  See photograph. 

The project objectives are:

• Collect and conduct laboratory tests on coal-bearing cores from underneath a major urban landfill.
• Conduct larger tests on coal-bearing cores from underneath a major urban landfill.
• Experimentally study reservoir mechanisms.
• Evaluate the feasibility of underground processing of LFG using the coal seams that are located under the Johnson County Landfill in eastern Kansas.

In sum, the project intends to decrease fugitive greenhouse gas emissions (both methane and CO₂) by sequestering CO₂ and providing methane for home heating and industrial use among others.

Contact:
Project Manager: Heino Beckert, heino.beckert@netl.doe.gov

Related Papers and Publications:

• Landfill Gas Sequestration Fact Sheet (pdf)